I am saying: Princes music is benefitting from the input of other musicians. What is your opinion on this?

Right now i am listening to the Symbol Album and i think the (original) New Power Generation brought something new to Princes music at that time, a live-feel, a more organic sound, more instrumental subtlelety.

Thinking about that, it seems that Prince from time to time needs a creative 'injection' from the musicians he is playing with: I mean, Prince 'built' his trademark Minneapolis sound by himselve, but the Revolution brought a live-feel and some subtle musical colour (strings, pop-melodies) that helped becoming Purple Rain being a beststeller.

The Revolution also 'helped' him during his creative peak (in my opinion that is) between 1985 - 1987, especially Wendy and Lisa were adding more subtletlety, colour, experiment to Princes music and helped him (chargating here) from turning from a funk-rocker into an art-rocker.

Sign of the Times is a mish-mash of tracks he first recorded with the revolution, and his own cuts and is therefore very eclectic in sound. Its also shows Prince using the help of Eric Leeds with incorpating horns and jazz into the music.

Lovesexy always seems to me like the culmination of all things musical (and lyrical) that Prince tried before and i wont think he succeeded with that when he made that album all by himselve, the musicians on that record that (halve revolution, halve new, his live band around that time) are very clearly essential for the presentend sound and end-result.

After Lovesexy Prince tried to go back to the written-performed-produced-arranged by Prince 'thing', and alltough on Graffiti Bridge several other musicians were involved, Prince was obviously taking selfcontrol over his music again. The result: some Great songs, some lesser ons, but not really creative growth.

The introduction of the New Power Generation brought something new to Princes music: a more traditional, organic live sound. A looser sound also, some 'fresh air'. Alltough Prince should stay away from rap or hip-hop mostly (Tony M. was a mistake), the period between Diamonds and Pearls and the Gold Experience seemed to bring some kind of 'renessaince' to his music.

After that things went a bit blurry: the problems with WB, his personal problems overshadowing the music. Prince choosing a wrong sidekick this time, Kirky J, on Emancipation and New Power Soul, making his music sound dated and stalled. I think that the best material on Emancipation equals that of Purple Rain and Sign of the Times, in terms of songwriting, but it lacks the energy, the spirit and the exceptional arrangements / production of the earlier material.

On The Rainbow Children (despite the awfull lyrics) John Blackwell seems to interject a more jazz, organic feeling to the music, and again the influence of another musician seems to provoke Princes creativity.

Listening to Musicology and 3121 its seems that Prince has 'toned down' the influence from side-musicians again. It seems he is back in control again, and i really think the music suffers from that. Alltough not a bad record, 3121 is sounding like Prince is showing his strenghts he discovered during the eighties, but it mostly seems like a laborated effort, not really the music where is hart is laying at the moment.

Maybe he needs some good 'side-kicks' again to tickle his creativity. What do you think?

I AGREE !!!
1000 %

I agree as well.

He needs The Time members, Andre Cymone, Matt Fink, and Dez Dickerson around him to inspire him.

vainandy said:

Yep, they were there when HE built this legacy.
so, maybe SOME of them still has that Fire ?
if not, it's a great legacy nonetheless.

FalseSetto said:

prince needs more compitition to inspire him.no challengers out there, and it seems he's writing up to his competitors.remember when dangelo did the roots cd,i think that lit a fire under him.as far as getting with other artist they cant help him write because that comes from inspiration within.and most other artist all sound alike these days, trying to please radio and record company ceo's.name an artist he could work with who's cd sounds different evertime they put out one..no one but prince can do this.asking prince to get help from someone is like asking michael jordan to get help from another player in the nba .when you are the best its hard to settle 4 less.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis seem to have lost the fire though. For years, their productions have been sounding like everything else on the radio. For those two, the tables may need to be turned and get Prince around them to put the fire back under their asses.

Prince needs another Rick James, high on drugs, throwing down hard, and talking about him like a dog in every interview. Someone really good, really hard, and really funky to piss Prince off. He seems to jam when he's mad.

vainandy said:

U're right though...Prince looks at music as a competition, he always has.
And he has proven that he's the baddest MF in the game.

vainandy said:

Very true. P would actually create "compettition"; The Time. He seriously wanted a side project, Camille, just so he would have some compettition. That's way out. I'll compete against myself.

vainandy said:

I sure do miss those good old days.

Prince just needs to have sex with this man

Look what Larry Ghram did to Prince
No offence to any one...
Or Knock his religion.

I guess i miss the old dirty, uncut Prince

carlcranshaw said:

agreed...

joelmarable said:

there are challengers..in fact there are artist who are blowing prince away: bjork, meshell, rafael saddiq (well, when it comes to producing) and radiohead..

prince just doesnt listen to others anymore..add to that carlcranshaw's assesment of the npg situation and you get my personal theory.

Imago said:

you're evil!!


but i agree prince makes more interesting music when he is open to the impressions of others. his collaboration with w/l went so well because they had point of reference that were so different from his. it was a great blend. i think thats why the NPG was so stale. they were all coming from the same place musically give or take led zeplin.

sosgemini said:

Exactly, add to that a ton of brilliant producers coming out of the UK and France.